Cigarette filter holder



April 1 1958 R. A. CAMPBELL 2,830,593

CIGARETTE FILTER HOLDER Filed Jan. 3, 1956 FIG. I

FIG. 5

' INVENTORQ ROBERT A. CAMPBELL BY 20W United States Patent CIGARETTE FILTER HOLDER Robert A. Campbell, Oak Park, Ill.

Application January 3, 1956, Serial No. 556,928

2 Claims. (Cl. 131-4) Generally speaking, the present invention relates to a cigarette holding device adapted to provide an effective cigarette smoke filtering apparatus incorporating two desirable filtration features presently known, namely the use of a cigarette as a filter element and the use of a condensation chamber and trap.

My invention consists, basically, of a short tubular member of suitable metal or other material which is of a size to cooperate with and accommodate the end of a cigarette to be smoked. Each end of the tube is so designed as to accommodate a cigarette. Thus my holder becomes a center or a joining unit for two independent cigarettes. In use, this device may be used for holding a cigarette adapted to be lit and another cigarette adapted to be placed in the smokers mouth. Thus the smoke must pass through the tubular element and through the second cigarette held in the smokers mouth. By utilizing such a system the tubular member acts as a condensation chamber and condenses a portion of the harmful elements from the cigarette smoke; the balance of the smokeis then required to pass through the filter cigarette before it reaches the smoker.

In my particular invention there are a number of advantages and desirable features which may be incorporated in addition to the basic filtration. It will be observed by reference to the drawings and detailed description which follow that I have provided on a preferred form of my invention a flattened portion which very conveniently fits the smokers fingers and provides a relaxed and natural means of holding the cigarette being smoked. Further than this it will be observed that my filtering and holding unit is so small as to be easily carried and may be manufactured at an extremely small cost.

Further than this my device can be very easily cleaned since there are no complicated parts. It is quite obvious that the item could be washed with soap and water or any other means of cleaning employed.

The action of my invention which might well be considered and called a cigarette filter coupling is extremely important as a condensation chamber. This cooling of the smoke provides additional protection to the smoker in eliminating the danger to the membranes of the mouth and throat from a hotter smoke and in addition thereto by its cooling action causes additional condensation. The fiat portion of my device in a preferred form provides a greater degree of cooling by its means of obtaining a better surface contact with the smoke.

A preferred form of my invention embodies and contains a small slot at each end of the holder. Said slots are for the purpose of inserting a knife, toothpick or other pointed object to remove a short cigarette which has completely burned down and become imbedded in the end of the holder. Said notch can further be used, if desired, for the purpose of allowing a certain amount of fresh air to be drawn in and mixed with the cigarette smoke if the smoker desires to have a weaker or less ice concentrated smoke. This is accomplished by inserting the cigarette only partially into the holder so that a space exists in the slot where the air can be drawn in simultaneously with the smoke from the cigarette.

It should be noted that my invention being primarily a coupling does not involve contact with the mouth and the coupling unit. This is extremely important in that a reused cigarette holder becomes fouled and ill tasting. With the use of my device a fresh cigarette at a distance from the holder and the burning cigarette is always inserted in the smokers mouth.

In order to more fully and completely understand my invention reference is made to the within drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my cigarette holder with two cigarettes in position.

Figure 2 is a plan view of my invention with two cigarettes in position.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of my invention with two cigarettes in position taken through the plane 1--1 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged end view of my invention with the cigarettes removed.

Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged sectional view through the plane 2--2 of Figure 2 with the cigarettes removed.

Referring in more detail and with specific reference to the figures therein in the drawing, Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the holder 1 having in a preferred form a fiattened central portion 2 with flared ends 3 and 4 into which cigarettes 5 and 6 are inserted; the notches 7 and 8 are provided for the removal of cigarettes by inserting a pointed instrument therein if necessary.

Figure 3 in cross section illustrates cigarettes 6 and 7 consisting of the tobacco fillers 9 and 10 and the paper covering 11 and 12. The body of my unit 1 is shown with the two notches 7 and 8, the flared edges 3 and 4, and the flattened central portion 2.

It will be clear to anyone skilled in the art that a number of modifications to my invention may be made within the basic spirit, scope and teachings of the invention, and all such are intended to be included and comprehended herein. In particular it may be noted that this holder might be made in an oval cross section or even a rectangular cross section with suitable adaptation at the end to accommodate cigarettes. In addition it may be made without the central flattened portion and it need not be provided with the notches for removal of cigarettes.

I claim:

1. An intermediate coupling for a first cigarette which is to be smoked and a second cigarette which is to act as a filter, said coupling including a combined condensa- 7 tion and digitally-graspable holding portion, comprising: a first cross-sectionally substantially circular aperturedefining and cigarette-end-engageable means at a first end of the coupling and a similar second cross-sectionally substantially circular aperture-defining and cigarette-endengageable means at a second end thereof longitudinally spaced from said first end thereof and a flat broad central portion between said first and second ends and interiorly defining a flat broad condensation and cooling chamber and exteriorly defining a flat broad digitally graspable holding portion; said flat broad central portion also defining adjacent each end thereof, stop means limiting insertion of said first and second cigarettes, respectively, into said first and second aperture-defining and cigarette-end-engageable means.

2. An intermediate coupling for a first cigarette which is to be smoked and a second cigarette which is to act as a filter, said coupling including a combined condensation and digitally-graspable holding portion, comprising: a first cross-sectionally substantially circular aperture-defining and cigarette-end-engageable means at a first end of the coupling and a similar second cross-sectionally substantially circular aperture-defining and cigarette-endengageable means at a second end thereof longitudinally spaced from said first end thereof and a flat broad central portion symmetrically positioned between said first and second ends and interiorly defining a flat broad condensation and cooling chamber with at least two Wall portions thereof in substantially parallel relationship and exteriorly defining a similar fiat broad digitally graspable holding portion; said flat broad central portion also defining at each end thereof stop means symmetrically and relatively spacedly limiting insertion of first and second cigarettes, respectively, into said first and second aperture-defining and cigarette-end-engageable means; each of said aperture-defining and cigarette-endengageable means at its end most remote from the condensation and cooling chamber being flared outwardly to a circular configuration slightly larger than a cigarette end and being constricted inwardly at its end nearest to said condensation and cooling chamber to a circular configuration slightly smaller than a cigarette end.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 915,726 Beamish Mar. 23, 1909 1,931,131 Haley Oct. 17, 1933 2,101,127 Bruins Dec. 7, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS 126,185 Great Britain May 8, 1919 286,481 Great Britain Mar. 8, 1928 962,352 France Dec. 5, 1949 

